Automatically operated turret and tool unit structure



11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inuentors: I o" www Aug. 13, 1935. E. J. KINGSBURY ET AL AUTOMATIGALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1934 Aug- 13, 1935. E. J. KINGsBuRY Er AL 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE..

Filed June 4, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Allg- 13, 1935. E. J. KINGSBURY ET AL 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1934 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 Leven/69rd? Edu/vrai J 55159550023* andwzzzar Sil/Mey,

Aug. 13, 1935'.

E. J. KlNGsBURY |=:r AL 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE I Filed June 4,l 1934 l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iwen; ra: Edvard J andannar'wakney,

A112- 13, 1935. E. .1. KINGsBuRY Er A1. 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TooL UNIT STRUCTURE 11 sheets-sheet 5 Filed June 4, 1954 Aug. 13, 1935.

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT-STRUCTURE E. J. KINGSBURY Er Al. 2,011,487

Filed June 4, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 and Gunnar .jwahney AU@ 13, 1935- E. J. KINGsBURY r AL 2,011,487

AUTOUATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1934 11 Shee'ts-Sheet 7 Allg, 13, 1935 E. J. KINGsBUFaY Er AL 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet B and Gzmnarw er Aug. 13, 1935. E. J. KINGSBURY ErKAL 2,011,487 'l AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOLUUNIT STRUCTURE j Filed June 4, i1954 11 sheets-sheet 9 4 A dwf Aug. 13, 1935. f E 1 K|NG5BURY ET AL 2,011,487

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1934 l1 Sheets-Sheet 10 Zita/ard! eI @Jn/f5( anni Gunnar Swa/Jnejg,

` y QW Inverzora:

Aug. 13,1935. E. J. KINGSBURY ET AL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATEED TURRET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Filed June 4, 1954 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 madambarwalzey,

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATICALLY OPEBATED TURET AND TOOL UNIT STRUCTURE Euwe .man mummy ma Gunnar Swahnberg, Keene, N. l1., assign'ors to Kingsbury Machine Tool Corporation, Keene,

ration of New Ham N. H., a corpoappucaann June 4, 1934, serai No. 12eme 14 calms. (c1. ca -5o) l is the provision of means in the turret structure whereby a source of power which operates constantly in one direction and preferably at a uniform rate of speed is employed for producing successively a long advancing movement and then a short retrograde movement of the turret, along with the employment of detent means for limiting the retrograde movement to determine the end of a cycle.

Another feature of the present invention is the interconnection of turret structure and machine tool structure whereby the turret when released automatically performs a cycle of movement and comes to a standstill, and therewith is capable of initiating a movement of tool devices, and in which the tool devices automatically complete a working movement and then are capable of initiating a further indexing movement of the turret; with the inclusion of means for preventing repeated operations of the turret or of the tool devices prior to the alternate action of the tool devices or turret respectively.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of such a mechanism in which a turret or like structure is held in each cycle by a detent which operates to prevent retrograde movement, and in which each cycle of movement comprises a long advancing movement of the turret, followed by a short retrograde movement thereof, the driving and connecting means for the turret including devices which yield while the turret is detained against a retrograde movement.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of mechanism of this type in which a turret structure is provided with a source of power therefor and connecting means between the same, the connecting means including devices which produce the long advancing movement and then the short retrograde movement, and also including means for compensating within the connecting means the portion of the retrograde movement in the connecting means which is not permitted to occur during each cycle, by the operation of the detent for the turret, so that the long advancing movement is permitted to occur without requiring the completion of the retrograde movement by the turret itself.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of a particular type of traveling gearing including a fixed gear and a bodily moving and rotating gear, with means operated from a cycloidally moving point of the moving gear for producing in succession a long advancing and a short retrograde movement of the turret or like structure.

A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of a turret andadetentmeans therefor, the detent being operated by the turret during the advancing movement thereof, and then automatically returning for reengagement in blocking position with the turret during a retrograde move- 10 ment of the latter; with a particular feature whereby the movement of the detent is employed for moving a switch or like control element of the general control system for the mechanism.

With these and other features as objectsof the invention, an illustrative form of construction is set forth in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the structure including the turret mechanism and four independently operable work units.

Figure'2 is an upright sectional view substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1, but showing certain of the work units in elevation, andwith the turret control mechanism removed. v

Figure 3 is a detail view, in elevation, on a much larger scale, taken substantially in the direction of the arrows in Figures 4,5 and 6.

Figure 4 is a similar enlarged elevation detail view taken substantially in the direction of the arrows in Figures 3, 5 and 6. 1

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view substantially on lines 5-5 of Figures 3 and 7.

Figure 6 is a similar horizontal sectional View substantially on lin 6-6 of Figures 3 and '7.

Figure '1 is an upright sectional view substantially on the broken lines 1-1 of Figures 5 and 6.

A Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view substantially on lines 8--8 of Figures 3 and 4, showing the traveling gears and the housing for the turret driving structure from the bottom, the gears being in one position of operation.

Figures 9-12 are diagrams of the traveling gears, on the scale of Figure 8, in several operated positions.

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view substantially on lines l3-I3 of Figures 2 and 14.

Figure 14 is an upright sectional view of the same detail substantially on lines Il-Il of Figures 13 and 15.

Figure 15 is an upright sectional View of the .same detail substantially on line |5-I5 of Figure 14.

'Figure 16 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Y, structure.

In Figures 1 and 2, a'hollow base or 28 has the upper and lower closure plates 2l, 22

which support the central upright column 23 which extends above the plate 2i and guides the A sleeve 24 which is illustrated as formed integral with the turret table 2l having an appropriate l number (here four) of work receiving vises WV which are to be positioned by the turret mecha- An upper sleeve 28 on the center column n fis provided with sideways for receiving me l housings of three work units WI, W2, W3, each of which has a locking gib structure including a locking and unlocking handle WL. These units may be of any desired type and are illustrated -as of the types described in the applications filed by Edward J. Kingsbury, Serial No. 633,888, illed September 18, 1932 and Serial No. 628,395, filed August 11, 1932. In the illustrated form these units are provided with the rotatable and vertically movable tool holding spindles SI S3, respectively. In the illustrated form, further, arigidangularbracket21 isiixedtothestandard 28 and has an upper table 28 which provides a slideway upon which is mounted the housing of a furtherl work unit W4 having a rotatable and horizontally movable spindle S4. As described in the aforesaid applications, each of these work units comprises a source of power indicated as the motors MI, M2, M3, M4 for turning the spindle and for producing feeding movements thereof; but it will be understood that the present invention is not limited solely to such particular forms of work units and that the general structure may contain, and the turret mechanism be cooperative with, work units of various types. In the particular illustration, the individual umts may be adjusted and clamped upon their respective slideways in proper positions for attaining the desired operations of the tools controlled and actuated thereby.

The turret sleeve and table assembly is provided with a driving gear 38 which is fixed thereto, by

' jturret driving motor TM (Figure 3) which is connectedbyabe1t48withapulley4l flxedona shaft 42 contained within the general housing TH which is ilxed to a supporting and protecting structure including the walls TW which are illustratedinFigure asformedintegralwiththe cylindrical wall of the standard 28 and including a chordal all portion 43 having an extension 44 which e 7) is integral with upper closure plate 2| of the standard. Thus a very rigid structure is afforded for supporting the housing TH.

Ihe shaft 42 is supported by anti-friction bearings 45 in the housing TH and is connected at its inward end with clutch plates of a clutch device 48 having 'cooperative plates connected with the shaft 41 of a worm 48. 'Ihe worm shaft is supported at one end by anti-friction'bearin'gs 48 within the shaft 42 and. its other end by an antimanon bearing so competent to remt radin? '(rigumsmd'z) wmcniskeyedwsnouowmtatable sleeve I8 supported by the anti-friction bearings .I1 and 88 in web walls of the housing TH (Figure '1) and is provided at its lower end with a radially extending arm I8. Within this arm is Journaled the-shaft 80 to which is fixed a traveling gear 8l which is constantly in mesh with gear teeth 82 illustrated as constituting a .part of the closure plate 83 of the housing TH.

As the sleeve 88 and its arm I8 are rotated. the

' gear 8| is carried'bodily in rotation about the axis of the sleeve 88 and likewise caused to rotate with its own shaft 88.

'I'he lower end of shaft 88 is-provided with a radially extending arm 84 having a pivot pin 88 adjacent its free end. 'Ihis pivot pin engages the connecting link 84 which is likewise engaged with a similar pivot pin 81 carried by the radially extending arm 88 of -the central shaft 88 located within the sleeve 88 and supported with respect thereto at its lower end by an anti-friction bearing 18, and at its upper end by a bearing bushing 1I. In Figure '1, in order better to illustrate theparts,ithasbeenassumedthatthelink 88 is broken .and the two pins moved until they are in a single plane.

Aspurgear 12 isiixedattheupper end ofthe shaft andisinmeshwithaspurgear 13 iixed tothelowerendoftheturretturningshaftu. This shaft 14 is journaled in an axially slidable bushing 'Il which is provided with rack teeth 'I8 engaged by the pinion teeth 11 on a turret releasingshaft18whichwillbedescribedindetail hereinafter. The shaft 14 is preferably provided with an anti-friction bearing 18 to support it against downward end thrust. 'I'he upper end of the shaft 14 is provided with a gear 88 having slightly skewed teeth and constituting the turret turning gearing which is in mesh with the correspondingly skewed teeth of the gear 38. shown in Figures 2 and 7.

'Ihe turret releasing shaft 18 (Figures 3, 5 and 7) issupportedinthewalls43and44 bytherelease mechanism plate 8i fixed to wall 43. At the outer end of the shaft 18 is clamped a split collar 82 having an extension arm 83 terminating in the bifurcated end 84 in which is journaled a roller 88. The key 88 is preferably employed to assure the rigidity of the arm 83 with respect to the shaft 18. The counterclockwise movement of shaft 18 andarm83 (Figure3) islimitedbyanadiustable abutment screw 81 which passes through an ear 88 on plate 8|. The plate 8l has integral therewith or attached thereto the support bracket 88 which receives a pivot bolt 88 for the releasing trip lever having the arm 8| with an abutment plate 82 thereon, and a second arxn1 84 supporting a pivot 88 which is engaged in a slotof a link 88 pivotally connected to the plunger amature 81 of a solenoid 88 which is likewise supported on the bracket 88 and plate 8i. 'Ihe bracket 88 also supports an adjustable abutment screw 88 for counterclockwise position, as shown in Figure 3,

the action of spring 81a and the weight of the plunger 81 and associated parts'causes a counterclockwise rocking of the lever 6I-84 so-that the abutment plate 92 is brought into position between the roller and the axis of pivot pin 80, and thus prevents any clockwise movement of the arm 88 until the solenoid 88 has been energized.

As shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15, turret table 26 is provided at its lower surface, adjacent the periphery, with abutment or stop members |00 which are provided in number equal to the number of stations, i. e. four corresponding to the number of work receiving vises WV in the present illustration. These stop members are arranged at the proper angular distances to determine the position of the turret accurately at each station,

' being separated 90 degrees from one another peripherally in the present illustration. 'I'hese stop members are held in proper position by the aligning pins I0| carried by the turret table 25 and are held by the locking screws |02. Each member has a bottom surface |04 which is located substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the turret table 25, and a stop surface |05 which is preferably located in a plane passing through this axis. It will be noted that the turret table 25 is cut away to permit engagement of the stop member with the stop surface |05, as will be set forthhereinafter, and that this gap or eut-away portion of the table 25 terminates in an inclined surface 25a.

Cooperating with these stop members is a detent plunger |06 having an inclined surface |01 for cooperation with the inclined surface 25a, a flat end surface |08 for cooperation with surface |04, and a surface |08 directed axially for cooperation'with the stop surface |05. This plunger is guided in a sleeve I I0 supported by the structure of the upper closure wall 2|, and has an eccentric aperture .therein for receiving the spring which normally urges the plunger |06 upwardly, and a pin |2 which forms the lower abutment for this spring. The pin I I2 is supported by an angle bracket I I3 carried by an extension from the cylindrical wall 20. Fixed to the plunger |06 is a crossarm II4 (Figures 5, 14 and 15) having an aperture at its end engaged with a pin I I5 carried by the plate 2| for holding the plunger |06 in proper .position for engagement with the stop members. The lower surface of the plunger |06 (Figures 14 and 15) engages a roller I|6 carried by an arm I1 of a switch TS. When the plunger |06 is forced downward by the engagement of inclined surface 25a; with inclined surface |01, the contacts of switch TS are separated.

In the circuit diagram of Figure 16, the switches provided in the work units WI, W2, W3, W4 are shown at WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4, these switches being individually closed when the work unit completes a cycle and returns to withdrawn position, in the manner described in the aforesaid applications. Accordingly, also, the trip solenoids for these work units are illustrated at WSI, WS2, WS3, WS4, the operation thereof being to release the respective work units so that they may thereafter automatically operate and complete an operating cycle, and return to the aforesaid withdrawn and inoperative position and be latched therein until the solenoids WSI, WS2, WS3, WS4 for the corresponding work unit have again been energized.

In this diagram, the three supply conductors contacts and thereby |25 (of a three-phase system) are connected to contacts which may be closed by the bridges YI, Y2, YI of a trip relay Y for initiating the working cycles lof the working units. Two of these conductors are also joined to contacts which may be closed by the bridges ZI and Z2 of the trip relay Z for initiating an indexing movement of the turret table. From the associated contacts of the trip relay Y, conductors |26 extend to the solenoids WSI, WS2, W83, W84 of the work units and in essence connect these In multiple so that they are all'energized at the same time and, correspondingly, the working units initiate their movements simultaneously. Correspondingly, the conductors |21 lead from associated contacts of bridges ZI and Z2 of relay Z for energizing the solenoid 88 which trips or releases the turret advancing mechanism.

A pilot circuit conductor |28 extends from one i phase conductor |25 to a contact in switch TS which is' closed so long as the locking pin or plunger |06 is in its raised'position, and thence by a conductor |28 4and the 'coil UC of a starting relay U, and thence by conductor |30, back' to another phase conductor |25. The starting relay U has three bridges UI, U2, U3. A branch conductor |3I from conductor |28 connects the switches WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4 in series and is connected (by branch conductor |88) to a contact of bridge U which is closed when the relay U is energized, and to a contact bridge U3 which is closed when the relay U is de-energized. The associate contact of bridge U3 is connected by a conductor |32 with the coil XC of a relay X, the other terminal of which is joined to the return pilot conductor |30. A switch AS is provided for manually controlling the initiation of each indexing cycle by momentarily closing the switch, and also effective for producing a fully automatic` operation of the apparatus when maintained closed. A conductor |33 branches from conductor |3I and is controlled by switch AS and is joined to a contact which is closed by bridge U2 when the relay U is energized. The associate contact of bridge U2 is joined by a conductor'l34 with a contact of bridge X3 of relay X, which is closed when the relay X is de-energized: the associate contact of bridge X3 being joined by a conductor |35 with the coil ZC of the turret indexing trip relay Z, the other terminal of the coil ZC being connected to the return pilot conductor |30.

Likewise branched from conductor I3Iis a conductor |36 which is joined to a contact which is closed by bridge X2 of relay X when this relay is energized, the associate contact of bridge X2 being connected by a conductor |31 to conductor |32, so that bridge X2 therefore operates to complete and maintain a circuit for the coil XC when the relay X is energized.

The further branch conductor |38 leads to a contact which is closed by bridge UI when the relay U is energized, the associate contact of bridge UI being joined by a conductor |38 to a contact of bridge XI, which is closed when relay X is energized; and in turn the associate contact of bridge XI is joined by a conductor |40 to the coil YC of the trip relay Y with a return by conductor I4I to a.A phase conductor |25.

In order to provide a means for starting the heads independently of the turret mechanism, a hand trip switch HTS is provided for closing establishing a circuit by .branch conductors |42 and |43 between conductors |39 and |40 independently of the operation of relay X.

With the four heads WI W2, W3, W4 approaching their withdrawn and inoperative positions, after having each completed a cycle -of operation, they close their associated switches WTI,

WT2, WT3, WT4 in any order.v lFinally all of the heads have returned to the withdrawn position and are latched therein and all of these switches are closed. At this time, also, the turret is still remaining fixedly held at a definite position of advancement, with the several work vises WV properly presented for the operation which has been produced by the working units. At this time the surface |09 of the plunger or lock pin |08 is engaged lwith the stop surface |05 and the plunger .|08 is in raised position so that the switch TSis closed. The relays X, Y and Z have been de-energized. The motor TM is rotating and driving the pulley 4| and its shaft 42, but the resistance of the turret table 25 against retrograde movement owing to the engagement of surfaces |05 and |09 has caused the clutch elements 46 to become disengaged so that no drive is occurring from shaft 42A to the worm 48, although the spring 52 is maintaining the stop member tightly engaged with the plunger |06. The turret driving skew gear 80 and its shaft 14 are in the lowermostA position; the arm 83 being latched in its counterclockwise position by the abutment plate 92 (position of Figure 3).

The plunger or lock pin |06 is in its raised position and switch TS is closed, so that a circuit exists by conductor |28, switch TS, conductor |29, coil UC, and return pilot conductor |30. Relay U is thus held in energized position with bridges UI, U2 closed and bridge U3 open. The circuit through bridge Ui is open at relay X. The circuit through bridge U2 is closed at bridge X3, but has been held open by at least one of the heads WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4, and possibly by the switch AS.

At the moment that the last of the switches WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4y closes, it completes a series circuit by conductors |28, |3|, the switches, conductor |33 and switch AS to bridge U2, by conductor |34 and closed bridge X3 and conductor |35 to coil ZC, and thus to return conductor |30, energizing coil ZC of relay Z.

The closure of relay Z causes the energization of the indexing trip solenoid 98, so that its plunger 91 (Figure 3) moves the lever 9|-94 and the abutment plate 92 is drawn away from the roller 85. The weight of the arm 83 and associated parts, and also the axial thrust existing between the skew gear 80 and the skew gear 30 on the turret table 25, causes a clockwise movement of the arm 83 and its shaft 18, so that the teeth 11 causes an upward movement of shaft 14 and skew gear 80. This results in a slight relative movement of the gear 80 in a rearward direction under the action of spring 52, while the turret table 25 is still held fast by the engagement of surfaces and |09. The result of this rearward mpvement of the gear 80 is to permit the system including the traveling gear to pass the rearward dead center and begin the upward movement, as will be described in detail hereinafter in conjunction withthe chart of operation. 'I'he rearward movement of skew gear 80 also permits the reengagement of the clutch elements at, so that the motor TM begins its drive of the system. V

As a result of this upward movement, the turre table 25 is moved so that the surfaces |05 and |09 separate, and shortly thereafter the inclined surface 25a in the said annular portion of the lower turret table surface causes a depression or downward movement of the plunger or lock pin |06 so that the switch TS is opened. This breaks the circuit through conductors |28 and |29 and deenergizes the coil UC so that the relay U moves to open position, and the circuit which has been closed therethrough at bridge U2 is. open and relay z de-energized. The solenoid 98 is .thus de-energized and its releasing lever 9| 94 moves in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 3). Meanwhile, the rotation of gear 80 in aforward direction through the driving system, including the traveling gearing, has caused an axial downward movement thereof accompanied by a rocking of shaft 18 and thus of arm 93 in a clockwise direction, so that the roller 85 is held ready for immediate latchingwhen the abutment plate 92 swings upward with the arm 9|; thus restoring this portion of the system to the former position.

The work unit switches WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4 continue closed, as these units have not been tripped for further operation, and the circuit extending in series therethrough and` by conductor |3| is now closed at bridge U3 and extends by conductor |32 to coil XC and to return conductor |30, thus energizing coil XC and closing.

relay X. The bridge X2 of this relay now establishes a temporary maintaining circuit from conductor |3| by conductor |36, bridge X2 and. conductor |31 to the coil XC. The relay X also serves to open the circuit previously existent by conductors |34 and |35 at bridge X3; and to tentatively close a circuit through conductors |39 and |40 at bridge XI.

The turret plate 25 continues to turn until it presents the next stop member |00 to plunger |06, and finally permits the plunger |06 to be forced back for closing the switch TS when surface |05 of this stop member has passed the surface |09 on plunger |06. As described hereinafter, the traveling gearing causes the turret table to move slightly beyond this position in the forward direction and then to return with a retrograde movement until the surface |05 is presented against the surface |09 and therewith the turret plate is again brought to a standstill against movement in this retrograde direction under the action of the motor TM, which has always continued to turn in this single direction, the forward and retrograde movements of the turret plate being produced by the traveling gearing, as will be described hereinafter.

When the plunger |06 moves upward after the passage of the stop member |00, the switch TS is closed againand the circuit is again established by vconductor |28, switch TS, conductor |29, coil UC, and return conductor |30, thus energizing the relay U again. 'I'his relay now opens the bridge U3 and closes the bridges UI and'U2. The circuit through bridge U2 by conductor |34 is now held open at bridge X3 since the relay X is energized. 'I'he relay X is maintained energized through the conductor |36, and bridge X2 as de.- scribed above. A circuit is established by conductors |3|, |38, bridge UI', conductor |39, bridge XI, conductor |40, coil YC, and conductor |4| back to the phase conductor |25, resulting in the energizing of relay Y and the tripping of the work units WI, W2, W3, W4 by their corresponding solenoids WSI, W82, W83, W84. It will` be understood that the time required for the starting of the umts is greater than that required for the completion of the movement of the turret until the surface |05 of this stop member |00 engages the surface |09 of the plunger |06.

, 'I'his release of the working units, however, re-

sults immediately in the opening of the switches WTI, WT2, WTI, WT4, the opening of the first of which produces a de-energization of circuits including the conductor I8 I so that the maintaining circuit by conductor l broken and the relay X moves to open position again. This energization of therelay X results in the opening of its bridge XI, so that the coil YC of relay Y is de-'energlzed and the trip solenoids WSI, W82, W88. WS4are de-energized, and the structures -operated thereby lare presented ready for latching the corresponding work units as each of these returns in completing a cycle.

The parts have now essentially returned to the positions assumed above asthat for the beginning of acycle. That is, the relays X, Y and Z are open, the relay U is closed, the several solenoids are de-energlzed. switches WTI WT2, WTI, WT4 are open, and switch TS is closed. So long as the switch AS is closed, this cycle will repeat itself; but upon opening the switch AS, the final cycle is completed, but a new indexing of the turret is not initiated. Movement of the heads may be incited, without movement of the turret table, by closing the hand switch HTS. A circuit is thus established from conductor |28 through the switches WTI, WT2, WT3, WT4 by conductor Ill, conductor |38, bridge UI, conductor |39, conductor |43, the bridge of switch HTS, conductor |42, conductor |40, coil YC and conductor |4| back to a phase conductor. It will be noted that this manual operation can only be accomplished if the turret is at station, i. e. if the plunger |06 is in its raised position with switch TS, so as to maintain the relay U energized; as otherwise the bridge U| will interrupt this circuit. This also aords a protection against the dragging of the work in a peripheral direction while a drill or like tool is being fed or withdrawn.

Reference has been made above to the operation of the traveling gearing in producing both forward and retrograde movements of the turret table 25. In particular, the illustrated form of traveling gearing causes (starting from the beginning of the above cycle) a slight retrograde movement followed by an accelerating forward movement of large extent, a decelerating movement of large extent, and a slight retrograde movement for again presenting the stop surface |05 to the surface |09.

This is shown in the operation chart of Figure 17, in commotion with the position of the traveling gearing as shown by Figures 8 to 12. In this it is assumed that the turret is at a standstill when the traveling gearing (line a) is in the position of Figure 8. Upon release, ther retrograde movement of the turret (line b) occurs, as stated above, from the position of Figure 8 to the position of Figure 10, which represents (Figure I'Dthe end of the retrograde movement. The turret thereafter begins a further forward indexing movement which accelerates from the position of standstill' corresponding to Figure ll0, past the position of Figure 11, and continues its acceleration for about one-half of the indexing movement, corresponding to the position of Figure 12, and then toward the end of this forward movement a deceleration occurs until vthe parts attain the position of Figure 9, which represents the end ofthe forward indexing movement with the turret table substantially at a standstill. The operationof the travelinggearing, however, does not terminate at this point, as no element is now operating to hold the turret table or its associated gearing against relative |36 for coil XC is now held against movement,

-at a constant rate and its arm 64 the link ss is being a slight furmovement. Hence the traveling gearing (line a) continues to cause until it returns to the position o f Figure 8, a slow retrograde movement of the turret (line b) of limited extent, whereby the surfaces |05 and |68 are brought into contact aspointed out above and the turret table is again the aforesaid clutch members 48 slipping butoperating in conjunction with their spring and through the worm drive for maintaining a constant pressure between these surfaces so that the turret table is held in its proper position at this station. It is particularly pointed out that the surfaces |05 and |09 are engaged during retrograde movement, and while the turret table is turning slowly, so that there is no great shock of impact with the attendant possibility of up tting orotherwise mutillating these surfaces. ey thus maintain their accuracy for long periods of time, and it is possible to accomplish minor variations by interchanging the member |00, for example, or filing or grinding its end to provide a surface |05 at the proper position. Since one of these stop members |00 is provided for each station, the position of rest at each station may be adjusted independently of substantially uniform rate in a single direction.`

It thus drives the shaft 42, and through the clutch elements 46, the Worm 48 and worm wheel 55,'so that the arm'59 (Figures '1-12) tends to turn at a uniform angular rate. In turning, it carries the pivot shaft 60 of the gear 6| bodily with it, and the gear 6|.rotates upon the gear teeth 62 `which constitute a circular rack in mesh therewith. The gear 6| therefore rotates (line a) likewise turns with a constant angular velocity. This arm, however, through the pivot pin 65 produces a type of harmonic motion of the link 66, so that the `pivot 61 and the arm 68 are turned at varying rates, dependent upon the particular angular position of the arm 59. Thus, in the position of rest of Figure 8, the arm 59 is being urged in a counterclockwise direction by the action of spring 52, while the clutch elements 46 are slipping. The gear 6| is likewise turning in a counterclockwise direction relative to the axis of its shaft, and is carrying the arm 64 with it, so that dragged downwardly and toward the right (Figure 8) and is tending to produce a limited clockwise movement of the arm 68. At the position of Figure 8, as stated above, this clockwise movement of arm 68 is limited by the engagement of stop surfaces |05 and |09.

When the shaft 18 is operated to raise the skew gear 80, as stated above, a clockwise movement of shaft 14 and arm 68 is permitted, so that this arm may move to the position of Figure 10. Therewith the spring 52 operates to restorethe engagement of clutch elements 46 and the gear 1| travels in a counterclockwise direction about its own axis, and travels bodily in a counterclockwise direction with the arm 59. The link 66 operates to control the relation of pivot pins 65 and 61 so that the position of Figure 10 is attained.

The further bodily movement of arm .59 in a counterclockwise direction produces two components of components is a counterclockwise movement about the axis of arm 64 and the other is a traveling of the pivot 65 in a. general counterclockmotion of pivot 65. One of these 'Y wise direction with respect to the axis of the arm 59. The resultant of these two motions is that of causing a dwell or standstill ofthe pin 91 (position Fig. 10 of Figure 17).

As the pin vSI5 continues to move in a clockwise direction relative to the axis of gear 6 I, and this gear continues to travel, the pin 91 is forced in a countetclockwise direction'by link 99 relative to the axis of the arm 99, so that the arm is moved to produce the aforesaid forward indexing movement of thc turret table. Since the pin 99 is moving in a counterclockwise direction relative to the axis of arm. 59, on the one hand, and is being moved away from the axis of this arm by the movement of arm M, on the other hand, the general resultant is to produce an accelerating movement which reaches its maximum when the arms 94 and 69 are substantially parallel (Figure 12) The continued movement of the arm 99 causes the two arms to move for a time with substantially'the same angular velocity, in the particular illustrative form, until the parts attain substantially the position of Figure 9. Just prior to attaining the position of Figure 9, the arm 94 is in alignment with link 99, so that the axes oi' shaft 99, pivot pin 65 and pivot pin 91 lie in the same plane. This represents the greatest distance that pivot pin 61 can attain with respect to the axis of gear 9|, and constitutes the extreme forward movement of the arm 69 for this cycle of indexing movement. v As the arm 64 passes this dead center position, the distance between the pin 91 and the axis oi' the gear 9| decreases while the pivot pin 65 is being carried relatively backward or in a clockwise direction with respect to the axis of arm 59. This causes the link 99 to drag the arm 68 in a clockwise direction again to produce the aforesaid slow and slight retrograde movement, until the parts attain the position of Figure 8 in which the locking surfaces |95 and |99 are engaged again.

'I'hus it will be noted that both the extensive forward indexing movement and the slight retrograde movement occur harmonically, that is there is an acceleration at the beginning of such movement, following by a deceleration toward the end of the movement. By these means, the maximum appropriate speed is attained, without excessive expenditure of energy and without danger of damage to the parts or the necessity of heavy structures by inertia effects.

By modifying the position of pin 91 relative to the axis of arm 99, and of pin 95 relative to the axis of arm 94, as well as by proper selection of the operative length of the link 99, the desired harmonic relations and desired relative distances of forward and retrograde movement may be produced. Further by properselection, or interchange, of the gear 6I relative to the gear teeth t2, the device may be caused to operate for different general conditions of such motions. Further, 'ny replacing the gears 12 and 19, it is possible to cause the structure to index properly for any given number of stations on the turret. In the specific example, it is assumed that the relative gear ratios 72:73 and 80:30 produce successive movements of 90 degrees. By maintaining the gearl 12 smaller. and the gear I9 larger in the relative proportion 2:3, the turret table will be moved for increments corresponding to 60 degrees, or six stations to the circumference, ofcourse with a proper replacement and positioning and use of six` stop members |99.

In the illustrated form, at Figure 6, a plunger 299 is operated by a cam-29l on shaft 99 against the action of return spring 292 for actuating a pump 299 which may supply lubricant through a conduit -294 to portions of the device which require lubrication.

It is obvious that thefinvention is not limited to the specific form of embodiment illustrated and described, but that it may be employed in many ways within the scope of the appended claims. i

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a member which is to be advanced by a succession of increments and to occupy predetermined dennite positions between each two increments, a source of power, means including a release device for connecting said source in driving relation with said member and also including devices to cause said source to produce in succession a. long advancing movement and a short retrograde movement, detent means for preventing the completion of the retrograde movements of said member and thereby operating to determine the said definite positions, vsaid release device operating to interrupt the driving relation when said detent means is operating to determine a said definite position,-

and means in said connecting means to compensate for the remainder of each said retrograde movement so that said connecting means may operate to produce the long advancing movement for the next increment.

2. In a turret structure, a turret to be cyclically advanced and brought to a standstill, a source of power constantly operating in one direction, means for connecting said source in driving relation with said turret and including a release device operating when the turret is blocked against further movement, said connecting means also including devices operating lautomatically to produce successively a long advancing and a short retrograde movement, a detent for 'limiting retrograde movement of the turret and thereby causing the turret to come to a standstill at a predetermined position at the end of a cycle, and means in said connecting means between the automatically operating devices and said turret to compensate for the remainder of each said retrograde movement and serving when operated to initiate a new cycle of movement of the turret.

3. In a device of the class described, a turret member and a tool holding and operating member, .'ndividual means for driving said members, ilrst detent means i'or holding said tln'ret member in position for a', tool operation, second detent means for holding said tool member out of operating position, nrst control means operated from said tool member when out of operating position,

second control means operated from said turret memberwhen entering position for a tool operation, rst devices actuated through said Vsecond control means when operated for initiating an indexing movement of said turret member, supervising devices for de-energizing said first devices when the turret member has made an initial movement and operating to effect the further indexing movement of the turret member until stopped by said first detent means, second devices actuated through said nrst and supervising devices to re1ease-said second detent means, and means including said iirst control means for restoring said nrst, second and supervising devices and said second detent means to initial position when said rst control means is released from operation by said tool member.

4. In a device of the class described, a member which is to be advanced by a succession of increments and to occupy predetermined definite positions between each two increments, a source of power, means for connecting said source in driving relation with said member and including teeth xed to said member and a toothed element in said connecting means in mesh with said teeth,said teeth being at an acute angle to the 'direction of advancement of the member, said connecting means also including devices for producing a long advancing movement and then a short retrograde movement of said member, detent means for preventing the completion of th retrograde movements of said member and thereby operating to determine the said definite positions, and releasing means operating to produce a relative movement of said teeth and toothed member in a direction other than that of the advancement of said member to compensate for the remainder of each said retrograde'movement.

5. A device as in claim 4, in which said toothed element is a skew gear, and said releasing means operates to move said skew gear axially.

6. A device as in claim 4, in which said toothed element is a skew gear, and said releasing means operates to move said skew gear axially and thereby produce the said compensating movement in the connecting means, the source of power operating by the reaction of said teeth and toothed member to produce a restoring axial effort upon said toothed element during the advancing movement of said member.

7. A mechanism for producing cyclically in succession a long advancing angular movement and a short retrograde angular movement of a revoluble member, comprising a source of power, an arm rotated by said source, a fixed gear coaxial with said arm, a traveling gear rotatably carried on said arm and in mesh with said fixed gear, a second arm rotated'with said traveling gear, a third arm on said shaft, and means pivotally connected4 to said second and third arms at points respectively eccentric to said traveling gear and said shaft.

8. A turret mechanism including a frame, a revoluble turret member, a stop element on said turret member having an inclined forward surface and a rearward stop surface substantially at a right angle to the line of movement of the turret member, a yielding stop plunger on the frame cooperative with the stop element to be moved axially by said inclined surface and having a stop surface positioned for engaging said rearward stop surface when said plunger returns after its said axial movement, said stop surfaces limiting retrograde movements of said turret member, and means for producing successive advancing and retrograde movements of said turret member and including devices for compensating the remainder of retrograde movements following limitation thereof by said stop surfaces.

9. A turret mechanism as in claim 8, including a switch actuated by said plunger during its axial movements.

4 ment of the table 10. A turret mechanism as in claim 8, including a control element actuated by said plunger during its axial movements, and turret controlling means governed by said control element.

11. A machine tool comprising a hollow base, an upright center column rigidly supported by said base against axial and rotational movements, a turret table rotatable about said column and supported by said hollow base, a tool unit slide rigidly supported above said table by said column against axial and rotational movements, at least one tool unit supported by said tool unit slide, an indexing mechanism located in and supported by said hollow base for advancing said table, said tool unit and indexing mechanism each including an individual source of power, and control means including a device actuated by said tool unit when the tool is in withdrawn position, and a device actuated by said turret table when substantially in position for tool operation for effecting interlocked successive operations of the tool unit and turret table.

12. A turret mechanism including a frame, a turret, a source of power, means connecting the source in driving relation with the turret and including devices for producing an accelerating advancing movement and then a deceleration thereof until the turret is at a standstill so that minima of time and inertia effects are involved for an advancing movement of large total angular extent, and thereafter producing an accelerating andthen a decelerating retrograde moveof small total angular extent, and detent means for preventing the completion of each retrograde movement.

13. In a turret structure, a frame, a turret to be cyclically advanced and brought to a standstill relative to the frame, a source of power operating constantly in one direction, means for connecting said source in driving relation with said turret, a detent for limiting retrograde movement of the turret and thereby causing the turret to come to a standstill at a predetermined posik tion at the end of a cycle, said connecting means including devices operating automatically/to produce successively a long advancing and a short retrograde movement, and means for initiating cycles of movement of the turret from said source.

14. A turret structureas in claim 13, in which r the connecting means includes an axially movable worm driven from said source and a worm wheel in mesh therewith and connected to said turret, a release clutch disengaged by said worm during axial movement produced by the continued movement of the source when the driving of the turret is blocked, and resilient means for opposing said axial movement and restoring the clutch to engaged position when the turret drive is released, said resilient means also operating while the clutch is disengaged for holding said turret and detent in continued engagement and thereby maintaining the turret in its prevailing predetermined position of standstill.

EDWARD J OSLIN KINGSBURY. GUNNAR SWAHN'BERG. 

